The defeat of Sen. Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota) on Tuesday means the Democrats will choose a new leader in the U.S. Senate.

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada) announced his bid to become the minority leader. He currently serves as minority whip, the third-in-command. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) is also a contender.

Reid sits on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee but in the past has largely focused on gaming issues. He drew controversy for pushing a bill, now signed into law, to distribute a $140 million trust fund to members of the Western Shoshone Nation. Dorgan is also on the committee.

Republicans maintained control of the Senate and added a net four seats. The party split is now 55 to 45 in favor of the GOP.

The new GOP members are: Richard M. Burr from North Carolina, Jim DeMint from South Carolina, Johnny Isakson from Georgia and Mel Martinez in Florida, Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, David Vitter of Louisiana and John Thune from South Dakota.

The new Democrats are: Ken Salazar from Colorado and Barack Obama from Illinois.

Get the Story:
Leader's Defeat Means New Face for Democrats (The Washington Post 11/4)
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Gracious but Defeated, Daschle Makes History (The New York Times 11/4)
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Republicans Add 4 Seats in Senate (The New York Times 11/4)
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